Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners & Drainage Board Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners convened on June 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Drainage Board meeting. Commissioners approved numerous action items, reviewed 2027 budget requests from several departments, and tabled the selection of a county emergency medical services provider to a future meeting. The Drainage Board approved a regulated drain application, ditch claims, and discussed a pending response from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a stream obstruction.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 26, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting and special meeting.
• Approved the Commissioners’ 2027 budget request.
• Approved employment changes.
• Approved claims voucher reports for three periods ending May 29, June 5, and June 12, 2026.
• Approved the Clerk’s April 2026 monthly report.
• Approved the Engineer’s report and claims.
• Approved the Prosecutor’s request to create a new fund and new line items for the Office on Violence Against Women initiative.
• Approved the Sheriff’s road closure request for the Evansville Wartime Museum.
• Approved the Treasurer’s April 2026 Innkeeper’s Tax Report and May 2026 monthly report.
• Approved transfer requests from Commissioners and Riverboat.
• Approved an appropriation request for the Convention Center Operating Fund.
• Approved the Old National Events Plaza waiver request for Homeless Connect of Southwest Indiana.
• Authorized installation of a Daughters of the American Revolution historical monument at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Coliseum.
• Approved the Substance Abuse Council 2026 Comprehensive Community Plan and Local Drug Free Communities Fund.
• Appointed Alfonso Vidal and Pepper Mulherin to the Vanderburgh County Economic Development Commission.
• Appointed Joseph Harrison, Jr. as County Hearing Officer.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak or offered comment during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Selection of County Emergency Medical Services Provider (Old Business): President Elpers moved to table the final decision to the June 30, 2026 meeting to allow more time for details to be finalized. The motion passed unanimously.
• Charlotte Avenue Pipe Replacement (Action Item A1): Engineer John presented the bid from Deig Bros, Inc. as the lowest at $94,609 for replacing a failed storm sewer section. Approved unanimously.
• Change Order #3 – Boonville-New Harmony Road Reconstruction (A2): The change order increased the contract by $204,719.81, primarily due to unforeseen poor soil conditions adding $150,000. Approved unanimously.
• Sidewalk Waiver Request – The Nest Subdivision (A3): The Area Plan Commission recommended denial (5-2). The petitioner was not present. Commissioners tabled the request to allow the petitioner to attend a future meeting via virtual or in-person. Approved unanimously.
• INDOT Letter of Understanding – Detour for SR 57 Project (A4): INDOT will construct a single-lane roundabout and sidewalk at Green River Road; the project requires a detour on local roads (Boonville-New Harmony Road) for an expected 60–90 days. The agreement allows reimbursement for wear and tear. Approved unanimously.
• Acceptance of Street Improvements – Chase Drive at Hunter Chase Subdivision (A5): The small cul-de-sac road had been used for years; punch list items including crack sealing were completed. Approved unanimously.
• County Right-of-Way Encroachment Agreement with USGS – Lynch Road over Pigeon Creek (A6): The Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission will attach a stream gauge to the bridge, providing continuous water flow and quality data updated every 15 minutes via satellite. Approved unanimously.
• Health Department – Amendment #1 to Indiana Department of Health Grant (B1): The amendment increases the contract by $25,000 to a total of $45,000 for emergency preparedness. Approved unanimously.
• Health Department – Ordinance CO.06-26-012 (B2): First reading of an ordinance establishing a Non-Reverting Health Promotion Program Fund to bill Medicaid for services. Commissioners approved the first reading and then waived the second reading to approve it final on the same day after confirming no public objection. Approved unanimously.
• Jigsaw Digital Strategies Logo Development (C): A quotation not to exceed $6,400 for a new county logo as part of the website transition from eGov to Civic Plus. Commissioner Canterbury noted the current logo is outdated. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution CO.R-06-26-015 – Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (D): Cliff from the Watershed Commission explained the resolution adopts the updated five-year plan required for FEMA funding and flood insurance discounts. The plan has been reviewed by the state and FEMA. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution CO.R-06-26-016 – Stormwater Drainage Control Ordinance (E): First reading of an ordinance adopting Chapter 13.04. Final reading scheduled for the next meeting. Approved unanimously.
• Department Head Reports – 2027 Budget Reviews:
  • Weights and Measures: Budget flat; no major needs anticipated for 5–10 years; two new inspectors hired; fuel consumption decreased.
  • Engineering: Upcoming bridge projects include Wimber bridge (2027), Broadway Avenue over Carpenter Creek (after Lloyd Expressway work), Hogue’s Bridge (design phase), Old State Road bridge (2030), and Darmstadt Road bridge rehab (2029). Staffing vacancies (one engineer, one inspector) remain unfilled; salaries budgeted at $73,953 and $47,828 respectively. Road projects funded by TIF (Petersburg Road, Oak Hill Road, Hornby Lane). Community Crossings paving expected to be awarded in October 2026, pushing work into early 2027. A potential statewide revenue reduction (estimated $400+ million) could impact future funding.
  • Highway Department: Requested increases in overtime (from $1,000 to $10,000), materials (from $1.5 million to $1.7 million), and utilities due to rising costs. A new heating system ($70,000–$80,000) will be funded from FEMA money; other building upgrades needed (windows, waste disposal site). Salt supply adequate (3,500 tons).
  • Health Department: Health Fund (1159) increased by $5,000 on a $3.8 million budget; HFI funding (1161) decreased due to state cuts but level for 2026-27; optimistic about future state increases. TANF funding secured through September 2027. Exploring evidence-based designation for the 3-to-3 program to access national funders.
  • Purdue Extension: Transitioning to a regional, population-based model; contractual services increased by approximately $60,000, offset by decreases in travel and computer line items. Commissioners noted the increase is significant compared to prior years.
  • Burdette Park: Season pass sales reached $85,000 (second-highest total, behind 2024); over 25,000 visitors so far. Budget increases for linens ($5,000), communications ($10,000 for streaming conversion), pool chemicals (nearly doubled), uniforms, and solid waste disposal. Plans to host new corporate clients (Romani Automotive, Diocese of Evansville). Current staffing ~150 employees.
  • Soil and Water Conservation District, Veteran Services, Computer Services, Superintendent of County Buildings: Not present; will be consulted later.

Key Outcomes

• Tabled: Selection of county EMS provider to June 30, 2026.
• Approved unanimously: All action items listed above (bids, change orders, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and consent items) with the noted exception of the sidewalk waiver which was tabled.
• Directive: The Engineering and Highway departments will discuss staffing vacancies further with commissioners.
• Directive: The Drainage Board will send a formal letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking guidance on permitted work within jurisdictional streams regarding a property obstruction.
• Next Steps: Final reading of the Stormwater Drainage Control Ordinance at the next meeting; logo development to be completed by June 19, 2026; USGS stream gauge installation to proceed pending signatures.